anixi

Greetings all,

I've had this Torpado for over a year, rides good and all, but, it's quite a bit heavier than I like. I'd like to get rid of it, but, first what is it? I know it's not the top model, since the derailleur hangar is missing. Is it an Alpha, Beta or even an Amatuer?

Some pics:













Of course, the rarity and value would be nice to know also. What's your opinion?

Thanks in advance!

--a

juls

To my knowledge-Alfa and Beta were models from the 80's. (I've had one of each) With a Cottered C-yours is much older. You could 'lighten' it up with an alloy crank. Are the rims alloy? I've always liked high flange hubs. Probably somewhat rare-unique and worth hanging onto IMO. Value I'll leave up to the experts.

anixi

The Nervar crankset is only slightly heavier than the Campagnolo Mirage I wanted to replace it with. But, since the BB was 68mm, and the 70mm BB I did have wouldn't have worked, it didn't seem worth the trouble for saving less than a quarter of a pound.

The rims are alloy, the hubs are some kind of no-name.

If it isn't an Alpha or Beta, what could it be? I've looked closely at the top tube for clues, but, the previous owner touched it up extensively and got rid of any decal remnants. I'm stumped...

randyjawa 

Your Torpado is the entry level model from the mid seventies but, depending on component swap-outs, a bit earlier, perhaps even into the late sixties. They are pretty heavy bicycles but still manage to offer decent ride quality. That said, estimating the Vintage Bicycle Value is a really tricky business. Though I have sold similar bikes for between $150.00 and $1200.00+, yours would realistically fetch between $125 and $175 depending on many things, as you will come to understand if you take the time to look through Vintage Bicycle Value.

Good luck with the bicycle.

FastJake

The Campy should have date codes and (if original) will give you the approximate year of the bike. I don't know the codes, but do a search and they are out there.

This bike is confusing to me. The Campy would suggest it is higher end (unless added later) and although it's a cottered crank it's a nice Nervar one. No RD hanger says lower end. As a guess I would put this bike in the mid-late 60s. Value is also tough. $200?

anixi

Well, that's my doing. I put the campy stuff on there myself. It used to have a Campy Velox RD and can't remember what FD it came with. The only thing that's original on it are the Nervars and perhaps the Uni 61 brakes. The guy I bought it from worked in the bike shop, so it could have come to him as a frame/fork/crankset set. He valued it at $300, btw, so I'm hoping to get at least $250 out of it.

Thanks for the help. If only I could be certain of the year and model. The lack of a serial number has me puzzled!

anixi

I'm now selling the Torpado. I got this response from my CL ad:

***********************
Hi,
Do you still have the item for sale and in good condition?

Sent from my Blackberry!

***********************

Obviously a spammer. I'm listing it for $300, hopefully someone will come in with an offer close to $250.

anixi

I finally found that the bike is an "Amateur":

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HISTORY: Jim has had this one for a long time.
[h=2]ITALIAN VINTAGE "TORPADO" ROAD BIKE c1971 (23"/58.4cm frame. W/CAMPY) VERY NICE[/h] [h=2]$250[/h]
10 SPEED.
WEIGHS 28 LBS. (See image of digital scale below)
BRAND NAME: "TORPADO"
MODEL: "AMATEUR"
ERA: APPROXIMATELY 1971 (USING COMPONENTS TO DATE)
COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE: ITALY
23" frame size (58.4 cm)
FRAME CONSTRUCTION: STEEL, BRAZED LUG, TUBING TYPE & BRAND UNKNOWN
Bars and stem "UNKNOWN BRAND, STEM IS ALUMINUM, BARS ARE STEEL"
Brakes "UNIVERSAL CENTER PULL MOD. 61"
BRAKE LEVERS: SHIMANO "DURA-ACE"
Hubs "UNKNOWN ALUMINUM CAMPY COPIES"
RIMS: Aluminum "NISI" brand. (Note very slight run-out in front wheel, rear is perfectly true)
TIRES: New 27"
Crank set "NERVAR STEEL COTTER TYPE, CHROME IS EXCELLENT"
PEDALS: Unknown brand (Steel)
Front Derailleur "CAMPAGNOLO 2050"
Shift Levers: SUNTOUR aluminum
Rear Derailleur "CAMPAGNOLO VELOX"
Color "WHITE"
Very good condition. This is a STEEL frame bicycle. Tires are like new. 27" rims. Not much time on this and it has been stored in heated garage since new. Very clean vintage road bike! Very cool. Almost no references on Google so this must be a small Italian company that was not in business very long. Very unique item here in very good original condition!
Jim has owned it for twenty years and has never ridden it. When he bought it, he recognized the Campagnolo components as the oldest that he had seen..
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zukahn1 

I would have guessed late 60's based on the stem and crank which seem to be the only original looking parts. But early 70's just pre bike boom works also date wise.